I get it. You’re excited to renew your insurance policy, pick up the keys, and get on with your day. But just as you’re getting ready to wrap up, I have to bring the mood down a little.
“One last thing,” I’ll say. “We need to make sure all drivers of the vehicle are listed.”
I can see it in the client’s face: the energy shifts. The buzz is gone. But this part of the conversation is too important to skip. In fact, I find myself repeating it over and over—because if you misunderstand this one detail, it could cost you thousands of dollars down the line.
So let’s talk about it.
Why Listing Other Drivers Impacts Your Car Insurance Premiums
Your car insurance premium isn’t based on the vehicle alone—it’s also based on who’s driving it. At King Insurance, like all ICBC brokers, we use three key factors to assess risk:
- Who drives the car
- Their driving experience
- Their crash history
If someone is regularly driving your car, they need to be listed on your car insurance policy. That includes not only your spouse or roommate, but also any learner drivers, adult children home for the summer, or even part-time employees who use your vehicle during work hours.
The primary driver (also known as a principal driver) is the person who uses the car most frequently, and their record carries the most weight when calculating your premium. If you’re not sure who that is, think about who takes the car to work or school most days.
The reason is simple: crashes follow the driver, not the car. If someone borrows your car and causes an at-fault crash, that crash goes on their driving record—not yours. But if they weren’t listed on your policy and should have been, you could still end up footing the bill.
The Financial Risks of Not Listing a Family Member or Regular Driver
Let’s say you live with your brother, and he regularly drives your car. You don’t list him on your policy—maybe you think it’s not a big deal, or you assume he’s covered because he lives with you. But one day, one of your household members (your brother) causes a crash in your car.
The claim is still paid out by ICBC, but because your brother lives with you and wasn’t listed, you’re now on the hook for something called the Unlisted Driver Accident Premium.
Let’s say your ICBC premium would’ve been $2,100 if you had listed him, instead of the $1,800 you paid. That’s a $300 difference. Multiply that by 15, and you’re now paying $4,500 out of pocket. Plus interest if you delay payment. And that’s not even the worst-case scenario.
If your brother had been listed as a primary driver or even a secondary one, this outcome could have been avoided altogether.
What About Occasional Drivers?
Unlisted Driver Protection provides flexibility for occasional drivers, for situations when you lend your car to someone not listed on your ICBC policy—say, a neighbour picking up their kid, or a friend visiting from out of town.
But—and this is a big but—it does not cover household members, employees, or anyone who drives the car regularly. Those aren’t considered occasional drivers. If any of these people cause a crash in your vehicle and they’re not listed, ICBC’s Unlisted Driver Protection won’t help you. You’ll still be responsible for the financial consequence.
That’s why it’s so critical to think carefully about who really drives your vehicle, regardless of Unlisted Driver Protection. Whether it’s a primary driver or a secondary one, all regular users and occasional drivers should be included on the policy. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to list them and avoid surprises.
If You Forgot to List a Driver on Your Car Insurance Policy
It happens more often than you think. A family member returns home from university and starts driving the car again, or a new roommate borrows it once a week to run errands. These changes can feel minor, but they can carry major financial consequences if the person isn’t listed.
That’s why it’s a good idea to check in with your ICBC Autoplan broker whenever your household changes or someone starts using the car regularly. Updating your insurance policy takes just a few minutes—and it can save you from a huge bill if something goes wrong.
And don’t forget to update the primary driver designation if the main user of the car changes. A mismatch between who actually drives and who’s listed as the primary driver could affect how your claims and premiums are handled.
Driving Record and Crash History Affect Your Rates
Even if you’ve listed all the right drivers, your premium is still shaped by how experienced those drivers are and what their driving history looks like. ICBC considers up to 40 years of driving experience when calculating discounts for Basic insurance, which means long-time drivers with clean records are rewarded.
On the flip side, inexperienced drivers still get a discount to start, but that discount disappears quickly after one or two at-fault crashes. The same goes for crash history: the more crashes you cause, the more you’ll pay. That’s why it’s so important not only to list all drivers—but to also understand how their experience and past records affect your rate.
Listing Drivers Doesn’t Always Mean Paying More
Many clients think that listing more people on their car insurance will automatically increase their insurance premiums. That’s not always the case.
ICBC’s premiums are primarily based on two things: driving experience and crash history. If the person you’re listing has a clean record and years of experience, it might have no impact at all—or even reduce your premium slightly, depending on your own record.
At renewal, we calculate a Driver Factor, based on each driver’s experience and crash history. The primary driver on your policy carries the most weight, but we also factor in the risk of any listed secondary driver, especially if they live in the same home.
The principal driver, the one who uses the car most often, carries the most weight in the premium calculation. But we also account for the listed driver with the highest risk, which is why it’s especially important to be honest.
What to Bring When You List a Driver
If you’re coming in to renew or update your ICBC policy, bring the following for each person you want to list:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Driver’s licence number
- Province or jurisdiction (if licensed outside British Columbia)
You can add or remove drivers at any time—not just at renewal. If your teenager just got their learner’s permit or your roommate started borrowing your car more often, let us know.
Protect Your Coverage by Keeping Your Policy Updated
At King Insurance, we want your coverage to do what it’s supposed to—protect you. That starts with making sure your policy reflects reality. Who actually drives your car? Who’s the primary driver now?
It may not be the most exciting part of the process, but it’s one of the most important. I’ll keep reminding you, even if it kills the buzz.
Because when it comes to avoiding a $4,500 mistake, you’ll thank me later.
Need help with your renewal?
Contact King Insurance today to speak with a licensed insurance advisor or book your renewal appointment. We’ll make sure everything’s in order so you can get back on the road with peace of mind.
Located at the northwest corner of Marine Drive and Main Street, King Insurance is an insurance company that proudly serves not only the South Vancouver communities of Marpole, Sunset, Oakridge, Victoria–Fraserview, and nearby areas like Marine Gateway and Marine Landing, but also clients across Richmond and the entire Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
Ka Hing Cheung is proud to work in the insurance industry, helping people manage risk and protect what matters most. Ka Hing is committed to ongoing learning and enjoys helping clients find the right coverage at the best available rate, while making sure they understand their options clearly.